“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to end,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”
-- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
By Dr. Deb Wade
GCU Vice President, Counseling and Psychological Services
God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Life is full of change! This week on the Grand Canyon University campus, myriad students will gather with their families and loved ones to walk across the stage to signify, “We did it! We have accomplished the ultimate … we have graduated!”
And all of us who have watched these students, admired their commitments and efforts, and celebrated their successes, as well as walked alongside them during tough times, will stand tall and cheer along with them: “Congratulations! You did it! You have accomplished the ultimate … and we are SO PROUD OF YOU!”
With graduations, as with other life milestones, myriad emotions may arise. While there is a possible celebration, along with that may come a bit of melancholy. While there is excitement, along with that there may be a tear. And while there may be much laughter and gaiety, along with that there may be a bit of weeping.
The great news is that God already has spoken of “those times” when there may be myriad conflicting emotions -- and because He “makes everything beautiful in its time,” we can rest assured that our emotions do not go unnoticed nor do they need to ever be accompanied by embarrassment or chagrin.
Emotions are God-given and God-endorsed! Feel freely, laugh loudly, dance frequently, scatter stones with reckless abandon and love with gusto! And … be OK with quiet reflection accompanied by eyes that tear, hearts that thud and nerves that shake. You are most alive when you are free to feel! Please don’t withhold … remember, God has made everything beautiful in its time!
Congratulations, graduates of Grand Canyon University, Class of 2018! You have made us proud, indeed!
